Dependent clauses may work like adverbs, adjectives, or nouns in complex sentences.
Like a single-word adverb, an adverbial clause describes a verb (in the sentence's main clause) and answers one of these questions
An adverbial clause begins with a subordinating conjunction, which makes the clause subordinate (dependent).
Common subordinating conjunctions:
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after |
in order (that) |
unless |
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although |
insofar as |
until |
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as |
in that |
when |
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as far as |
lest |
whenever |
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as soon as |
no matter how |
where |
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as if |
now that |
wherever |
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as though |
once |
whether |
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because |
provided (that) |
while |
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before |
since |
why |
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even if |
so that |
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even though |
supposing (that) |
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how |
than |
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if |
that |
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|
inasmuch as |
though |
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in case (that) |
till |
Example of adverbial clause answering when?
When will the flowers bloom? Answer: when spring arrives
Example of adverbial clause answering why?
Why didn't the poor woman have money? Answer: because she had lost her job
Example of adverbial clause answering where?
Where is there fire? Answer: where there is smoke
Example of adverbial clause answering how?
How did he answer the question? Answer: as if he knew the subject quite well
Example of adverbial clause answering to what degree?
To what degree of lateness will Jones arrive? Answer: (later) than Smith (will arrive)
Another example of an adverbial clause answering to what degree?
To what degree is he young? Answer: (younger) than his brother (is)
Comma use with adverbial clauses depends upon placement of the adverbial clause.
If the adverbial clause introduces the sentence, place a comma between it and the main clause.
If the adverbial clause follows the main clause in a sentence, do not place a comma between the two.
Like a single-word adjective, an adjectival clause describes a noun (in the sentence's main clause) and answers one of these questions
An adjectival clause usually begins with a relative pronoun, which makes the clause subordinate (dependent).
Common relative pronouns:
that which who whom whose
NOTE: Use who, whom, and whose to describe people.
Use that and which to describe things.
Adjectival clauses always follow the person, place, or thing they describe, usually immediately.
Example of adjectival clause answering which one?
Which book did Joe read? Answer: the one that I gave him
Example of adjectival clause answering what kind?
What kind of politician has the support of the people? Answer: one who is trustworthy
Adjectival clauses may also begin with selected subordinating conjunctions:
when - to describe a time
where - to describe a place
why - to describe a reason
Comma use with adjectival clauses depends upon essentiality of the adjectival clause.
If the adjectival clause is essential (or "needed"), no commas should be used to separate it from the main clause.
Generally, essential adjectival clauses should not begin with which.
Examples
Since the adjectival clauses in the above examples are needed to clarify the noun that they describe, they are essential and should not be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas.
If the adjectival clause is nonessential (or "not needed"), commas should separate it from the main clause.
Nonessential adjectival clauses should not begin with that.
Examples
Since the adjectival clauses in the above examples are not needed to clarify the noun that they describe, they are nonessential and should be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas.
Note the difference between the sentences in each pair:
Like a noun, a nominal clause names a person, place, thing, or idea. A nominal clause may function in a sentence as any of the following:
subject subjective complement appositive object of preposition direct object indirect object retained object
Nominal clauses may begin with interrogatives:
who whom what which whoever whomever whatever when where how why
An interrogative beginning a nominal clause has a function within the nominal clause.
Each of the following examples illustrates
Nominal clause as subject in sentence
Nominal clause as subjective complement in sentence
Nominal clause as object of preposition in sentence
Nominal clause as direct object in sentence
Nominal clause as indirect object in sentence
Nominal clause as retained object in sentence
Nominal clauses may also begin with expletives:
that whether if
An expletive beginning a nominal clause has no function within the nominal clause.
Nominal clause beginning with expletive that
Nominal clause beginning with expletive whether
Nominal clause beginning with expletive if
